Alright START UP fans, here’s your shot. Our sponsor, The UPS Store®, is hosting a contest for National Small Business Week that is right up our alley. It’s called a Pitch Off and the grand prize is $10,000. Chances are you are watching START UP because you’ve either got an idea for a small business or already started one. Which means you’ve already got your elevator pitch down pat. Good.

First, create and upload a 90-second video, but not a second longer. Have you ever seen a Shark Tank pitch? That’s what you’re going for. Your job is to sell the person watching that video on your idea. Why is it good? No, why is it GREAT?! Tell them why they should care and how your idea could change the world. Be creative and keep it simple.

After that, they will put your video into a gallery on May 22nd. That’s when the hustle starts. Get everyone you know to vote for your video. And we mean everyone! The top ten pitches will go before a panel of judges. where they’ll make a case for your idea. The panel will then select the Pitch Off champion and award one person $10,000.

There’s also a bunch of special awards: most creative, most passionate, most daring, most concise, most entertaining, and most innovative. Each award winner will receive a $100 Visa gift card!

May is Small Business Month at The UPS Store and we want you to win! Take your shot. Send in your pitch. Go after that $10,000 so you can launch your entrepreneurial dream! Who knows—maybe Gary will feature your business next season! Good luck! We’re rooting for you.